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Updated: Sep 29, 2025
Evaluation of Host-Pathogen Responses and Vaccine Efficacy in Mice
Published on: February 22, 2019
Modeling the catarrhal stage of Bordetella pertussis upper respiratory tract infections in mice
Illiassou H Soumana1, Kalyan K Dewan1, Bodo Linz1
1Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.
Abstract:
Pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly transmissible human respiratory disease caused by Bordetella pertussis, a human-restricted pathogen. Animal models generally involve pneumonic infections induced by depositing large numbers of bacteria in the lungs of mice. These models have informed us about the molecular pathogenesis of pertussis and guided development of vaccines that successfully protect against severe disease. However, they bypass the catarrhal stage of the disease, when bacteria first colonize and initially grow in the upper respiratory tract. This is a critical and highly transmissible stage of the infection that current vaccines do not prevent. Here, we demonstrate a model system in which B. pertussis robustly and persistently infects the nasopharynx of TLR4-deficient mice, inducing localized inflammation, neutrophil recruitment and mucus production as well as persistent shedding and occasional transmission to cage mates. This novel experimental system will allow the study of the contributions of bacterial factors to colonization of and shedding from the nasopharynx, as occurs during the catarrhal stage of pertussis, and interventions that might better control the ongoing circulation of pertussis.
Insights
A new mouse model allows studying Bordetella pertussis (whooping cough) in the nasopharynx, mimicking the early, highly transmissible catarrhal stage. This advances research into preventing pertussis transmission and developing better vaccines.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by Bordetella pertussis.
- Current animal models primarily focus on lung infections, neglecting the crucial upper respiratory tract colonization stage.
- Existing vaccines protect against severe disease but do not prevent initial infection or transmission during the catarrhal stage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a novel animal model that replicates the early, nasopharyngeal colonization phase of Bordetella pertussis infection.
- To investigate bacterial factors contributing to nasopharyngeal colonization and shedding during the catarrhal stage.
- To explore potential interventions for controlling pertussis circulation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-deficient mice to establish a persistent B. pertussis nasopharyngeal infection model.
- Monitored bacterial shedding, host inflammatory responses (neutrophil recruitment, mucus production), and transmission dynamics.
- Characterized the nasopharyngeal environment during infection.
Main Results:
- B. pertussis robustly and persistently infected the nasopharynx of TLR4-deficient mice.
- Infection induced localized inflammation, neutrophil influx, and increased mucus production.
- Persistent bacterial shedding was observed, with occasional transmission to cage mates.
Conclusions:
- The developed mouse model accurately mimics the catarrhal stage of pertussis, enabling the study of upper respiratory tract colonization and transmission.
- This model provides a platform for dissecting bacterial mechanisms involved in nasopharyngeal infection and shedding.
- It offers new opportunities for developing strategies to prevent pertussis transmission and improve public health control.
